It’s already been a month since Christmas. The days are flying by so quickly. I’ve made progress in my writing during the last month but naturally not as much as I’d hoped for. But I am making slow progress.

I try to avoid listening to the news since the politicians and their lies seem to dominate the ariwaves. The media has a fixation on the election. Gosh, it seems like we only finished the last one and here it is time to think about who to vote for again.

Like many in Pennsylvania, I feel a deep sadness with the passing of Joe Paterno. Penn State permeates through Pennsylvania like Christmas music through a shopping mall’s speaker system each December. My son and stepdaughter are Penn State graduates, as are several cousins and their children, my granddaughter - class of 2009, my grandson - class of 2012, many friends and their children, the list goes on. And YES! We remain Penn State Proud! But not proud of the Penn State Board of Trustees handling of the situation last November. It was a disgrace, one I believe to save face. Anyone who’s worked in an organization with a chain of command knows you report problems to your immediate supervisor…and woe to anyone who rattles the chain by jumping a link in the pecking order!

Joe Paterno loved Penn State and his devotion helped it evolve into the great universtiy it is today. I think the media sharks and legalists should look closer at the PennState Board of Trustees who must have known when it was originally reported and follow the scent to the former State Attorney General. And then demand to knowwhy nothing was done. Joe Paterno’s dismissal was an unfair diversion tactic, I hope our former A.G. has no further political ambitions because this is one web of deceit that won’t go away. Not in Pennsylvania. We will all miss you, Jo Pa. Our sincere condolences to the Paterno family.

I read a very good book by Sharon McCrumb, The Ballad of Tom Dooley, I received a signed copy for Christmas. It was my first McCrumb book, but it won’t be my last. The song was bouncing around inside my head as I was reading! I’ve started to read another Christmas gift book, 11/22/63 by Stephen King and it’s excellent. I don’t usually read his books but after reading, his OnWriting, which was wonderful, I have tremendous respect for his talent as a a writer.

Well, keep reading my friends and don’t forget to write me through my website. Every time I write a blog, I promise myself to write another within the week and then before I know it another month has rolled by. Maybe I’ll be able to do better this month!

I sat down beside a good friend in church last Sunday. She looked at me, sighed and smiled, “Hey, we survived another year!” I grinned and nodded, I knew exactly what she meant. Sometimes the paltitudes of the season run a bit shallow for me and I’ll bet they do for most of you, too.

Despite the joys of seeing smiles on children’s faces during the holidays…suffering continues here and all around the world. Sickness and pain do not take vacations. I visited sick family members in area hospitals and despite institutional efforts with pretty tinsel decorations, it’s hard to see loved ones nearing the end of their days with us.

*Please remember, Women Writing on Family, will be available to order from Amazon on January 10th. It has received glowing reviews and expectations are high for it success.

Many thanks to all of you who have taken time to write your comments to my blog…through my website in Contact Ann or on Facebook.

This month the only books I have to recommend are Clara and Mr. Tiffany, by Susan Vreeland, Compartments, ~poetry by Carol Smallwood and On Writing by Stephen King. All very good books and all very different from each other. Till next time, keep reading my friends…